My Three Words for 2013

A few years ago, my friend Chris inspired me to come up with three words to help define and shape the coming year. I have always found this practice much more effective than setting goals or resolutions, because it is more about guiding principles. We cannot always control what’s going to happen to us each day, but the three words enable us to make decisions based on what we have defined as important.

My three words for 2012 were Simplify, Embrace and Teach. Looking back, I feel like I was able to embody these guiding principles. I simplified some of my work habits, and most importantly I did away with things that were no longer serving me, including some work and personal relationships. The result was like a weight had been lifted.

I did a pretty good job of embracing the things that came my way. While I still think I have more work to do in this area, I certainly have improved at being able to accept the things that I cannot control and move into new experiences with a positive outlook.

I taught more this year than at any time in the past. Along with my regular course load, I was fortunate to do a lot more custom training as well as expand Jester Creative’s training offering. I look forward to many more opportunities to teach in 2013.

Now, to this year.

My three words for 2013 are Moments, Produce, and Calm.

Moments.We only get one go at this thing called life. As cliche as that sounds, it’s absolutely true. Yet we still tend to waste so much time, waiting for the next opportunity, for the next thing to come along, instead of appreciating the moments we are having right now. In 2013 I’m going to work harder to appreciate every moment, even the unpleasant ones. “Moments” is about living in the moment, but also about remembering to treasure the small moments in my days, by reflecting on them, writing about them, or simply observing them.

Produce.This is a big one for me. I’ve been a producer my whole career…starting out producing television, and now producing all sorts of other things, from web sites to digital marketing strategies to this blog, to music and more. In 2013 I’m going to not only work at producing more and better things for my clients and myself, but I’m going to do what I can to show others how to become better producers, through my teaching and speaking and writing.

Calm.I don’t consider myself an expert at many things, but I’m an expert at worrying. I’ve struggled with anxiety issues most of my adult life. At times it’s been pretty severe. Fortunately it’s been mostly under control for the past several years, but I know that it’s something that lies just under the surface at all times, waiting for the time when I stop taking care of myself long enough for it to rear its ugly head. So, 2013 will be about maintaining calm in the midst of the chaos that is life. I will focus getting to the gym a lot more, eating better and getting proper sleep. Beyond that, I’ll work to worry less and shift my focus to the things that matter. When I’m calm, I’m aware, in the moment, and I’m a better producer. So you can see that this word is really the anchor to them all.

There you have it, three words for 2013.

Care to share yours? Write about them on your own blog then please share the link below.